Alan Williams had a commanding lead over opponent Dianne Williams-Cox and ended the primary one step closer to representing House District 8 for his fourth term. He will face a write-in candidate in the November general election.

In Leon and Gadsden counties, Alan Williams was leading with 68 percent of votes counted. With 87 of 133 Leon precincts reporting Tuesday evening, results were

Alan Williams 11,502 votes, 68 percent

Dianne Williams-Cox, 5,359 votes, 32 percent

Both candidates spent the day traversing the district, waving signs, reaching out and encouraging people to vote.

Williams congratulated his opponent on a hard-fought race, but said the celebration would be short-lived as the work to push an agenda with raises for state employees continues.

"I'm going to go back to the Capitol after November and fight for you," Williams said. "Fight for good government, fight for better voting laws, fight for better educational funding and fight for funding for state employees."

Williams will serve fourth term
Karl Etters/Democrat

Williams said he planned to increase Florida Deferred Retirement Option Program funding and increase access to online voter registration.

State worker benefits and pay were high priorities for Williams and Williams-Cox. Williams' mother was a state employee and Williams-Cox was employed by Florida in various agencies for 19 years; both felt they had the connection to the state workforce to benefit them in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The race was marked by Williams-Cox's charges that her opponent had used his time in office to advance personally, rather than in the interest of the district.

Williams said his opponent would have required on-the-job training that could have set back the work to bring better healthcare and jobs to Gadsden County.

His win is one for the district, he said.

"Most importantly this celebration is about the voters of District 8 and all about the citizens of the state of Florida who deserve and demand better leadership in the state Capitol," Williams said.

Williams-Cox and members of her campaign did not return calls for comment.